Any Help Appreciated

[WannaLearnMore]

I have a 81 (2nd gen) Z28 T-Top that I just tore the entire dash out of while removing the emissions wiring. The dash is old, beat up, sun damaged, and just plain old looking. I'd like to build up a whole new one with a different type style to it. If anyone has any advice, suggestions, ideas, links, or hints and tips from personal experience I'd love to hear them all. I don't have a whole lot of experience as a body/interior person. I'm mostly a "guts" of the car type guy myself. I'd also like any opinions on whether to build the basis for the dash out of plastic, metal, fiberglass, or any other type material.

Thanks for any and all help.
Mike

[89IROC&RS]

other than a replacement dash, you could put the dash out of a firebird in there, it looks a bit different, so you might be into that.

Now are you talking just the dash pad, or the entire dash assembly with center console, instrument cluster, and all that. If thats what youre looking at, then ive heard of some people putting in fourth gen dashboards or center consoles. But i havent done it personally.

buy the way, welcome to the forums

[Morley]

Originally Posted by WannaLearnMore

I'd also like any opinions on whether to build the basis for the dash out of plastic, metal, fiberglass, or any other type material.

Thanks for any and all help.
Mike

I would use fibreglass if you want smooth, rounded contours and sheet metal if you are going to want sharper corners. Also I would consider covering it in a material like leather or equalivant.

[Morley]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

ive heard of some people putting in fourth gen dashboards or center consoles. But i havent done it personally.

In a 3rd gen, not seconds, the second gen dash and console were completely different.

[WannaLearnMore]

I have the ENTIRE dash torn out, and the console too (i'm gonna make a new one of those also after the dash.) The inside of my car is the firewall and supports with a bunch of wires hanging all over the place and a few heating duct pieces.

[KaotiKCamaro5]

i would even maybe look into doing it all custom. check out a boating supply store and get a fiberglass resin, then probably use the old parts as a mold, or even make cardboard pieces for molds.. it will take a lot of time and effort, but i think the end result would be AWESOME.

[WannaLearnMore]

Doing it all custom is what i'm really leaning toward doing. I'd like some help in the step-by-step process for making a new dash. Any links, hints, tips, or ideas?

[KaotiKCamaro5]

do a search on google.. i wanna say i've seen a website or two on fiberglassing parts. not sure where tho. but you can probably get a lot of information from a boating store too.. they usually know a lot

[philly rs]

yeah those boat places do alot of fiberglass work and they know alot ive tried a few of them myself just for body parts for my car thats a good lead

[Rod&Custom]

This probably belongs in the fabrication forum. I am a sheet metal guy, and haven't played alot with plastics, but why would I, you can't weld it!

[zWhid]

fiberglass would be sweet and its also pretty cheap, if you find a good tutorial you may want to think about using carbon fiber or even kevlar, i think carbon fiber might look cool.... I dont mean to sound like a ricer, it was just a thought :/

[cuda_dude]

Originally Posted by Rod&Custom

This probably belongs in the fabrication forum. I am a sheet metal guy, and haven't played alot with plastics, but why would I, you can't weld it!

actualy u can.... but its rare

[WannaLearnMore]

I'm kinda thinking that I'd rather build it out of metal. I have a lil bit more experience with that, but I've never done this type of fabrication project before. Anyone have any tips on ways to make it easier, etc?